Armenian Businessman Accused of Pedophilia Case to be Heard on July 6: Aravot

Prosecutor with the RA General Prosecutor Department for Investigation by National Security Agencies Hovsep Sargsyan informed local daily Aravot (“Morning”) that the case of president and owner of Metal Prince Ltd. Corporation and Akhtala Ore Processing Plant CJSC Serop Der-Boghossian, who was arrested in February on sex abuse charges, will be heard in the Lori District Court of First Instance on Jul. 6.

The daily reports that, most likely, the first court session will be open to the public; however, protecting the interests and rights of the victims (10 are named in the case), subsequent sessions will take place behind closed doors.

As previously reported, Der-Boghossian is charged under RA Criminal Code Article 139 Section 2 Paragraph 3 (violent sexual acts done against a minor) and Section 3 (“The actions mentioned in part 1 or 2 of this Article done against an aggrieved under 14 years of age”). The RA General Prosecutor, in an earlier statement, stated that, between 2004–2010, Der-Boghossian paid young boys, orphans from poor families, “to have sexual intercourse with him against their will.”

If found guilty, Der-Boghossian faces up to 15 years of imprisonment.